Grout cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A grout cleaning tool is provided. The grout cleaning tool includes a bracket head having a bottom surface. The present invention further includes a file sized to fit within a grout line of a tiled floor. The file is mounted to the bottom surface of the bracket head. The present invention may further include an elongated handle attached to the bracket head and extending away from the bottom surface. The elongated handle is sized so that the grout cleaning tool is used in a standing position by a user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 61/889,003, filed Oct. 9, 2013, the contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to grout tools and, more particularly, toa tool used for removing dirt, grease, grime and stains from grout lineswhile the person using the tool is standing up.

Grout in between tiles is made from finely ground cement. It is veryporous. Sweeping, mopping or wiping over or across the grout linescauses dirt, grease, grime and even cleaning chemicals to stick in thepores of the grout lines. It is almost impossible to remove the imbeddeddirt and grime. The more the tile floor, walls or counter is cleaned,the dirtier it gets as more grime is pushed in and across the groutlines.

Traditionally, the homeowner or business owner is on their hands andknees with a toothbrush and bucket of mop water. They scrub for hourswith little results. Current grout tools are designed to remove groutprior to re-grouting or replacing tiles and cut too deep into groutlines often scratching or chipping the edges of tiles. While working ona floor, they are designed to be used in a bending down or kneelingposition. Diamond grinding wheels cut deep into grout lines and chip orcut tile edges. Hand held grinding tools have very coarse grit, cut toodeeply into the grout and also scratch or chip tile edges.

As can be seen, there is a need for a tool that can quickly and easilyclean grout lines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a grout cleaning tool comprises:a bracket head comprising a bottom surface; a file sized to fit within agrout of a tiled floor, wherein the file is mounted to the bottomsurface of the bracket head; and an elongated handle attached to thebracket head and extending away from the bottom surface.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a section detail view of the present invention along line 2-2in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section detail prior art view demonstrating post effect;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention shown incontracted state;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in extendedstate;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the present invention demonstratingalternate configuration; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the present invention omitting thetelescopic upper components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a dirty groutremoval tool that fits neatly in the grout line. As the tool is pushedor pulled across the grout line, a fine top layer of grout is ground orfiled off, taking the dirt, grease and grime with it, leaving a new,clean grout surface. The tool can be used by homeowners and professionaltile floor cleaners. The present invention may be used while standingup, lightly filing down the grout surface, leaving a clean, and freshlooking grout line. The dirty grout removal tool lightly and evenlyfiles down just the surface of the grout lines, removing the dirty orstained grout. The present invention may be used while standing up, butthe long handle can be removed while working on counter tops or walls.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention includes a groutcleaning tool 10. The grout cleaning tool 10 includes a bracket head 24having a bottom surface. The present invention further includes a file34 sized to fit within a grout 44 of a tiled floor 42. The file 34 ismounted to the bottom surface of the bracket head 24. The presentinvention may further include an elongated handle attached to thebracket head 24 and extending away from the bottom surface. Theelongated handle is sized so that the grout cleaning tool 10 is used ina standing position by a user 46. For example, the elongated handle maybe from about 3 feet in length up to around 6 feet in length.

In certain embodiments, the bottom surface of the bracket head 24 mayform a channel 30 along its entire length. The channel 30 can takevarious shapes, such as rounded, square, V-shaped, or the like. The file34 of the present invention may be long and narrow and may thereby fitwithin the channel 30. The file 34 may be substantially parallel withthe channel 30. The file 34 of the present invention may include a leasta diamond coating. However, the file 34 may utilize other materials toclean the grout 44. The file 34 may be at least partially cylindrical,such as entirely cylindrical. The file 34 may be attached within thechannel 30 by a retaining screw. The screw may fit through an aligningfile aperture 38 and channel aperture 28.

The elongated handle of the present invention may be pivotally attachedto the bracket head 24. This allows for the bracket head 24 to rock backand forth, while the file 34 is resting within the grout 44. The rockingcapability allows any height of a user 46 to use the grout cleaning tool10 while standing in one place, while the present invention is beingpushed or pulled along the grout 44. In such embodiments, a U-shapedhook 22 may extend from the end of the elongated handle. The end of theU-shaped hook 22 may be substantially perpendicular with the file 34.The bracket head 24 may include a bracket head opening 26 sized toreceive the end of the U-shaped hook 22. The U-shaped hook 22 mayinclude cotter pin holes 40 sized to receive cotter pins 32 on eitherside of the bracket head 24, thereby pivotally connecting the hook 22 tothe bracket head 24.

In certain embodiments, the elongated handle may include an upperportion 12 and a lower portion 20. The upper portion 12 and the lowerportion 20 may removably attach to one another. Therefore, a user 46 maydetach the lower portion 20 of the elongated handle to use for tilewalls and counters. In such embodiments, the lower portion 20 mayinclude a female threaded receiver and the upper portion 12 may includea male thread 18 sized to fit within and secure the female threadedreceiver.

The elongated handle of the present invention may also be telescopic.For example, the upper portion 12 may include an outer tube and an innertube 16. The outer tube and inner tube 16 may telescope relative to oneanother and lock into a position. Therefore, the elongated handle mayadjust in length to accommodate different sized users 46. The elongatedhandle may further include a rubber grip 14 so that a user may easilygrasp and secure the grout cleaning tool during use.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. Auser can grasp hold of the grip 14 and place the parallel file 34 in thegrout line 44 while standing up. With a push pull action, the parallelfile 34 can be moved forward and backward in the grout line 44 while thebase piece rocks slightly (flexes), adjusting to the movement and heightof person 46 while lightly filing down the grout surface. In thismanner, a person can continue forward or backward for the distance ofthe grout line 44 without having to stop or remove the tool from thegrout line 44. A dirty layer of grout 48 may be removed from the groutline 44 by using the present invention. While the above describescleaning grout 44, many times after tile has been laid and the grout putin between, the grout lines 44 aren't even in depth. The tool of thepresent invention could be used to even out the grout lines 44 and makethem the same depth.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A grout cleaning tool comprising: a bracket headcomprising a bottom surface; a file sized to fit within a grout of atiled floor, wherein the file is mounted to the bottom surface of thebracket head; and an elongated handle attached to the bracket head andextending away from the bottom surface.
 2. The grout cleaning tool ofclaim 1, wherein the file is at least partially cylindrical andsubstantially parallel with the bottom surface.
 3. The grout cleaningtool of claim 1, wherein the bracket head forms a channel on the bottomsurface sized to secure the file within.
 4. The grout cleaning tool ofclaim 1, wherein the elongated handle is pivotally attached to thebracket head.
 5. The grout cleaning tool of claim 4, wherein theelongated handle comprises a U-shaped hook comprising an endsubstantially perpendicular with the file, wherein the bracket headcomprises an opening sized to receive the end, and thereby pivotallyattach the elongated handle and the bracket head.
 6. The grout cleaningtool of claim 1, wherein the file comprises at least a diamond coating.7. The grout cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the elongated handle istelescopic, and thereby adjustable in length.
 8. The grout cleaning toolof claim 1, wherein the elongated handle comprises an upper portion anda lower portion, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion areremovably attachable.
 9. The grout cleaning tool of claim 8, wherein thelower portion comprises a female thread and the upper portion comprisesa male thread sized to fit within and secure to the female thread. 10.The grout cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the elongated handle issized so that the grout cleaning tool is used in a standing position.